Magic in Writing

Fairy Tales

Favorite Fairy Tales

Favorite Fairy Tales

CinderellaThree Little PigsBeauty and the BeastSnow WhiteAladdin

I asked 10 of my friends what their favorite fairy tale was. Here are the results.

2 of them liked Cinderella3 liked The Three Little Pigs2 liked Beauty and the Beast1 liked Snow White2 liked Aladdin

Once Upon a Time…What now?

Almost everyone is familiar with the opening line of a fairy tale, but what other elements are involved?

Let’s take a look at the basic structure of fairy tales.

Fairy tales are fiction.

Fairy tales usually have special beginning and ending words.

Fairy tales show a contrast between “good” and “bad” characters.

Fairy tales often have elements of magic included

Characteristics of Fairy Tales:“F” is for FICTION

A work of fiction is one that is about imaginary events or people.

Fairy tales are fiction because they are made up; they are not real and usually have a far-fetched sequence of events.

Characteristics of Fairy Tales:

Special beginning and endingHow do most fairy tales you can think of begin?

“Once upon a time…”

How do they normally end?

“…and they lived happily ever after.”

Not all fairy tales must use these phrases, and somemay even have a surprise ending.

Pay attention to the fairy tales we read in class and see if they follow this pattern.

Characteristics of Fairy Tales:“Good” vs. “Bad”

Think of a fairy tale you know. Is there a “good guy” or a “bad guy”?

Most fairy tales will have a good character who is kind and innocent, and sometimes will need the help of others.

Most fairy tales also have a bad character who tries to ruin things for the other characters. The bad character usually loses in the end.

Fairy Tales: “Good” vs. “Bad”

Fairy Tale “Good” character “Bad” character

Cinderella Cinderella Stepsisters/Stepmother

Three Little Pigs Three pigs Big, Bad Wolf

Little Red Riding Hood

Red Riding Hood Wolf

Snow White Snow White/ 7 dwarves

Stepmother (Queen)

• Let’s look at some common fairy tales and the characteristic of good and a

Characteristics of Fairy Tales:

Magic is in the Air

Many fairy tales include several different elements of magic in them.

Here are some magical things to look for :

Animals or objects that talk

Fairies, trolls, goblins, etc.

People, animals, or characters that can fly

Potions, spells, or other wishes coming true